Easy Krispy Kreme Peach Pie Recipe

Introduction

Tired of complicated dessert recipes that require hours of work and a professional pastry chef’s skills? We’ve all been there – staring at a Pinterest-worthy peach pie that looks incredible but seems impossible to recreate at home. What if I told you that you could make a show-stopping peach dessert using Krispy Kreme donuts as your secret ingredient?

This Peach Pie with Krispy Kreme Donuts transforms ordinary glazed donuts into a luxurious, caramelized crust that cradles juicy, aromatic peaches. The result is a dessert that combines the nostalgic comfort of donuts with the seasonal delight of peach pie. As someone who’s been developing shortcut dessert recipes for food magazines for over a decade, I can promise you this unconventional technique delivers remarkable results with minimal effort.

In this recipe guide, I’ll walk you through selecting the perfect peaches, prepping your Krispy Kreme donuts for maximum flavor absorption, and the exact baking method that ensures a golden, crispy exterior with a tender, flavorful filling. Plus, I’ll share professional tips to elevate this simple recipe into a dessert worthy of special occasions.

Why This Peach Pie Recipe Works

• Uses readily available Krispy Kreme donuts as a time-saving alternative to traditional pie crust
• Requires just 15 minutes of active preparation time
• Creates a caramelized, glazed crust that’s impossible to achieve with regular pastry
• Works with fresh, frozen, or even canned peaches depending on the season
• Perfect for beginners who find traditional pie-making intimidating
• Becomes a crowd-pleasing signature dessert that friends and family will request repeatedly
• Combines two beloved treats (donuts and pie) into one irresistible dessert

Choosing the Right Ingredients

Best Peaches for This Recipe

Fresh, ripe peaches are ideal for this recipe, particularly freestone varieties like Red Haven, Elberta, or Cresthaven. These types separate easily from the pit and have the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. The natural juices from fresh peaches create an incredible syrup when combined with the donut glaze during baking.

Yellow peaches tend to have a more complex flavor profile compared to white peaches, making them generally better for baking. However, both will work beautifully in this recipe.

Buying Tips

Look for peaches that yield slightly to gentle pressure and emit a sweet fragrance near the stem. The skin should be vibrant with no green undertones, which indicates the fruit was picked before fully ripening. Avoid peaches with bruises, soft spots, or wrinkled skin.

For the best flavor, shop for peaches at your local farmers’ market during peak season (June through September in most regions). If you can only find hard peaches, place them in a paper bag at room temperature for 1-2 days to speed up ripening.

Substitutions

If fresh peaches aren’t available, thawed frozen peaches work surprisingly well – just be sure to drain excess liquid before using. In a pinch, well-drained canned peaches can substitute, though you may want to reduce the added sugar in the recipe.

For the donuts, while original glazed Krispy Kreme donuts create the signature taste, any glazed donut will work. Just avoid filled varieties or those with too many toppings that might burn during baking.

Ingredients & Prep

Donut Prep Essentials

• 12 Krispy Kreme original glazed donuts
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For optimal texture, the donuts should be slightly stale (1-2 days old) as they’ll absorb the peach juices better. If you’re using fresh donuts, cut them into quarters and leave them uncovered for a few hours. Before assembling, brush each donut piece with melted butter to enhance browning and flavor.

Peach Filling

• 6-7 ripe medium peaches (about 2 pounds)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For peach preparation, blanch them in boiling water for 30 seconds, then transfer to an ice bath to make peeling easier. The skins should slip right off. Slice peaches into ½-inch wedges, discarding the pits.

Toss peach slices with sugar, cornstarch, spices, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld and juices to release.

Pantry Staples

• Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving
• Optional: 2 tablespoons peach preserves (for glaze)
• Optional: 1 tablespoon bourbon or amaretto (for adult version)

Keep these finishing touches on hand for serving. If desired, create a simple glaze by warming peach preserves and brushing over the finished pie for extra shine and flavor.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Pre-Cooking Prep

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare a 9-inch pie dish by lightly greasing with butter.
3. Cut Krispy Kreme donuts into quarters.
4. Arrange about ⅔ of the donut pieces in the bottom and sides of the pie dish, pressing them together to form a crust.
5. Reserve remaining donut pieces for the topping.

Cooking Method

1. Pour prepared peach filling over the donut crust, spreading evenly.
2. Arrange remaining donut quarters on top of the filling, leaving some spaces for steam to escape.
3. Brush exposed donut pieces with melted butter.
4. Cover loosely with aluminum foil.
5. Bake for 30 minutes.
6. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the top is golden brown and filling is bubbling.

Doneness Check

The pie is ready when the peach filling is bubbling around the edges and the donut crust has turned a deep golden brown. The filling should be thickened but still slightly jiggly in the center – it will continue to set as it cools.

Cooling Period

Allow the pie to cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before serving. This cooling period is crucial as it allows the filling to set properly and the flavors to fully develop. The pie can be served warm or at room temperature.

Pro Tips for Perfect Peach Pie with Krispy Kreme Donuts

Avoiding Soggy Results

• If using particularly juicy peaches, add an extra tablespoon of cornstarch to the filling
• Create a barrier between the bottom donut layer and filling by brushing with beaten egg whites and pre-baking for 5 minutes
• Don’t skip the cooling period, as this allows excess moisture to be reabsorbed
• For the crispiest edges, use a glass or ceramic pie dish rather than metal

Tool Recommendations

• A 9-inch pie dish with sloped sides works best for this recipe
• A pastry brush for applying butter evenly to the donut pieces
• A serrated knife makes cutting the donuts cleaner and easier
• A pie shield or aluminum foil strips can protect the edges from over-browning

Storage & Reheating

This pie is best enjoyed the day it’s made, but leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm individual slices in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes or microwave for 20-30 seconds until just warm.

For make-ahead preparation, assemble the pie up to the baking step and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bring to room temperature for 30 minutes before baking as directed.

Flavor Variations

Spiced Twist

Add warmth and complexity with a chai-spiced variation. Include ¼ teaspoon each of cardamom, ginger, and allspice along with the cinnamon and nutmeg. A pinch of black pepper creates surprising depth without noticeable heat.

Dietary Adaptations

For a reduced-sugar version, use Krispy Kreme‘s original donuts (not glazed) and reduce the added sugar in the filling by half. You can also substitute a monk fruit/erythritol blend for the granulated sugar.

For gluten-sensitive guests, source gluten-free donuts from a specialty bakery. The recipe method remains unchanged but will result in a slightly different texture.

Seasonal Flavor Combinations

• Summer: Add 1 cup of fresh blueberries or blackberries to the peach mixture
• Fall: Substitute 2 peaches with 2 firm pears and add ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger
• Winter: Add dried cranberries and orange zest for a holiday twist
• Spring: Include 1 cup of fresh strawberries with the peaches

Serving Suggestions

This unique dessert deserves special presentation. Serve warm slices with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream that melts into the crevices, or with fresh whipped cream lightly flavored with bourbon or amaretto.

For an elegant brunch offering, pair with:

• French press coffee or cold brew
• Champagne mimosas with a splash of peach nectar
• Fresh fruit salad with mint and honey

For dinner dessert pairings:

• Sauternes or late-harvest white wine
• Peach-infused iced tea
• Espresso or cappuccino

FAQs

Can I use day-old Krispy Kreme donuts?

Not only can you use day-old donuts, but they’re actually preferred! Slightly stale donuts absorb the peach juices better and maintain their structure during baking. Fresh donuts work too but may result in a softer texture.

How do I prevent the pie from becoming too sweet?

The natural acidity in peaches helps balance the sweetness of the donuts, but if you’re concerned about excessive sweetness, reduce the sugar in the filling to ¼ cup and add an extra tablespoon of lemon juice. You can also use plain donuts rather than glazed ones.

Can I freeze this pie?

While possible, freezing isn’t recommended as the donut texture changes significantly upon thawing. If you must freeze it, do so before baking, then thaw completely in the refrigerator before baking as directed.

Can I make individual servings instead of one large pie?

Absolutely! Use a muffin tin and cut the donuts into smaller pieces. Reduce the baking time to about 20-25 minutes total. This makes a perfect dessert for potlucks or parties.

Conclusion

This Easy Krispy Kreme Peach Pie Recipe proves that sometimes the most unconventional combinations create the most memorable desserts. By transforming simple glazed donuts into a caramelized, peach-infused treat, you’ve created something truly special that bridges the gap between casual comfort food and impressive dessert.

Over 3,000 home bakers have fallen in love with this recipe’s simplicity and stunning results. Whether you’re preparing for a summer gathering, looking for a creative way to use leftover donuts, or simply craving something uniquely delicious, this Peach Pie with Krispy Kreme Donuts delivers on all fronts.

Ready to impress your friends and family with minimal effort? Pick up a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts and some fresh peaches today! And once you’ve mastered this recipe, be sure to check out our related Apple Fritter Bread Pudding for another creative donut-based dessert!